Job Discussion Forums

[JacoMaloney]

[Linda467]

Just keep a positive attitude. Be firm but friendly and keep asking till you get what you like - being persistent goes a long, long way, trust me

[Mia Xanthi]

[Grendal]

true true true Mia.

When my wife and I were working together at a post somewhere in Saudia, she ended up getting a better salary than I did. She is a better negotiator than I. She talked the manager into hourly at 100 SAR per/hr while I got 70 SAR per/hr (my monthly salary divided by the number of hours I worked).

Grendal

[dareva]

wow Mia,
do you mean that there actually could be an advatage to being a woman in KSA? or are you pulling my abaya?....tell me more....

[Mia Xanthi]

Yes, dareva, I am very serious about this. Men in KSA (Saudi and non-Saudi) can be very uncomfortable when having to deal with women. A persistant, demanding woman who just won't go away scares the life out of them. It doesn't take long before they will do anything you ask just to get rid of you.

I found that persistance was my best friend when trying to get refunds. Just keep standing there and asking for the same thing...and get a little louder each time you ask. You'll find that you will usually get what you want.

I brought this up to my students one time, and they just fell out laughing and told me it was true!

[dareva]

Hi Mia,
Thanks for that info -despite my posts, which are far from timid, I can be a bit timid in person to person situations, but having this knowledge, I will certianly use it to my advantage and not run away with my jilab between my legs at the first sign of non-compliance....and now that you mention this tatic...I recall a few of my Arabian (female and male) students using it on me and they usually got their way (except when it came to changing their marks - no way!)

[desultude]

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

That's right, dareva. YOU ARE WOMAN...now, let's hear you roar in the koh!

NCTBA

[haqiqah]

Has anybody noticed some unusual wording in the Education Expert contract?

[dlinsmey]

I have signed a contract with EDEX as it seems many of you all have. I am still waiting on the flight information as well as the information that is required to obtain the business visa. I know in the UK there is a courier service where one can obtain expedited visa's, but have not been able to confirm if there is a similar service in the states, at least one that can expedite a Saudi Business Visa - has anyone in the states obtained their business visa yet? by courier? in person? thanks for any input...

[haqiqah]

dlins,

Many people in this forum have signed, and many have declined. I am as yet undecided. Did you find any issues in the working hours clause or physical activity clause? Or the mention of doing tasks not related to the job? I like the the way sgs/edex has conducted themselves and so would like to sign with them. But I do have better offers; and while money (and vacation days) are not everything, there are some issues that i refuse to waver on....Was this your situation as well? (or anybody else's) -joe

[Linda467]

Haqiqa & dlins

I had better offers in Riyadh but I declined as well but kind of regret after having a call from the Ambassador�s office and talking to such a good bunch posted there

I did catch on that clause right away, 5.4 if I remember correctly and wrote to them. Wording is off sometimes �cause is a translation from Arabic I was told and basically it doesn�t allow EDEX staff to have even have a voley game with Bell or EF personnel.

I made a point in particular because working out is a "must" for me and taking into consideration I won�t be able to do my 4 kms. daily I needed some kind of reassurance about Gym or Fitness facilities.

Linda

[JacoMaloney]

[dareva]

..still waiting....